Manifestation
Omnivore, 2024
9/10
The last recordings from the Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White, the songs here are in collaboration with the award-winning producer/songwriter Preston Glass. A dozen of the songs were released digitally a few years after White’s death, and 6 previously unissued tracks are also included to preserve his legacy.
“Sweet Surrender” gets the listen off to a soulful start, where White’s romantic voice is met with crisp drumming and a dreamy mood, and it isn’t long until the thumping and heartfelt “Storybook Love” uses bouncy bass alongside White’s expressive pipes.
At the halfway point of the re-issued tracks, “True Love Is Forever” is particularly intimate, as the soft singing emits plenty of emotion, while the long version of “Wiggle” presents plenty of playful percussion and rhythmic ideas in the instrumental landscape.
The formal listen exits with “Before The Day You Were Born”, where much timeless R&B flows with grace and melody, and, of the unreleased tracks, “Can’t Fight This Feelin’” isn’t short on funk fun and “Spiritual High” will be sure to get your body moving to the lively energy and flowing vocals.
Excellent liner notes from co-Producer David Nathan are included, as the project stacks further greatness onto White’s lengthy and acclaimed body of work that will be forever admired.
Travels well with: Lenny Williams- Chill; Doris Troy- Another Look